In summary, what did you learn about the rapid spread of Islam, @eileen?
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According to Gibbon, Christianity did not become the religion of Rome overnight, but its rise was inevitable because the pagan system was already weakening. Although some pagans resisted, the transition was gradual. As Christianity spread throughout the Empire, major doctrinal disputes emerged — especially over the Trinity. The conflict between the Trinitarians and the Arians led to the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, where the Nicene Creed was established. From this point onward, the Church gained increasing influence and moved steadily toward ascendancy across the Empire.
Well, it’s a little like the rapid spread of the Mongol empire, in that it begins with a tribal attack on a weak and vulnerable minority that must strike back in order to survive and surprisingly wins. Now they’re in a position where they have to stay on the offensive and again, surprisingly, they keep winning. In fact they win over huge swathes of territory until in a shockingly short amount of time they’ve got a vast empire. Next, it’s time to build bureaucratic infrastructure and that too is very successful, so they get to keep the empire and pass it on to future generations. In the case of the Islamic caliphates, we see a strong investment in culture and learning, creating what Western scholars call “The Islamic Golden Age,” which was lucky for Europe because through their communications with Al-Andalus (present-day Spain), and because of the Crusades, lots of otherwise lost ancient knowledge, as well as new discoveries, were transmitted to Europe and would eventually fuel the Renaissance.
That is a rough summary and as such a gross oversimplification that leaves out fascinating stories and historical figures. Check out the course!
First, noting in history should be considered inevitable. If Julian the Apostate had not been killed in battle, but lived and reigned a long time instead, the struggle to replace Roman paganism absolutely could have failed.
Second, we’ve learned SO much since Gibbon was writing. I agree he was a genius and The Decline and Fall is beautifully written, but in 1776 when it was published, modern archeology was in its embryonic stages and the dawn of the rationalized discipline of the historian was half a century in the future. In the 21st century, rather than being a reliable guide to history, The Decline and Fall is itself history, an artifact of inspiration combined with rather severe limitations.
There are great books and courses out there with the latest information on what can now be known about Rome’s transition from paganism to Christianity.
I am also ploughing through it, as it is not easy to read. But the mystery cults are mentioned , particularly Mithraism. Julian is moving in very restricted circles, quite normal, because of his position , but I wonder what average people felt about the changes in religion initiated by the emperors.
Yes, elites moved in restricted circles as they do now and senators were the first ones affected by the shift, as political favors were once again being given to pagans and not Christians. But the man on the street was also very aware of what Julian was doing, as we are today aware of a lot of what Bezos, Zuckerberg and Musk get up to.
There was in fact no way to miss it because Julian was taking back a lot of temple property that had earlier been transferred to Christian congregations. If your local church suddenly reverts back to a sacrifice alter for Ceres, it’s pretty hard not to notice! Other institutions were affected, as well. For instance, hospitals and relief charities (both Christian innovations) were now being taken over by pagan authorities because Julian felt very strongly that for paganism to hit back effectively, it had to offer the same services Christianity had been doing. Schools were re-organized so that Christians could no longer teach certain subjects, and of course the civil servants in Rome’s bureaucracy got the memo that re-joining the pagan ranks would mean career advancement, whereas remaining Christian would not.
What was the response to the overall trend towards Christianity? Outside of Julian’s ill-fated and rather short reign, average people in the cities were more flexible about moving toward Christianity. After all, it is a religion originally aimed at the poor, the destitute, even. It also had strong appeal for women and many early martyrs in Rome were girls and women. And once Julian was out of the picture all the above pagan reforms were reversed. Christian senators were favored. Religious property was once again taken from pagans and given to Christians. Christians resumed running hospitals, schools, and charities. The middle classes (such as they were) were again offered advancement in the state bureaucracy based on membership in Christian congregations.
In the countryside, things were very different. Rural people were not subject to the practical benefits offered by Christianity (no hospitals in small villages, for example) and much more resistant to the new religion. In general, whole towns and villages hung on to their polytheistic beliefs until well into late antiquity. Then, in the 4th century, Martin of Tours and other radicalized, undereducated ascetics left their monasteries to act as “shock troops” against rural polytheism. Armed with clubs, stones, and iron bars, they tore down statues and altars and set temples ablaze. And if the local pagan priest resisted, he risked being thrown into the fire along with his religious paraphernalia.
Needless to say, the countryside was beaten into submission and just before the dissolution of the empire had mostly converted to Christianity as well.
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